Holt youth talks social issues with Obama

Tyler Merriweather, 18, plays bumper pool with Rose Maria Kelly, 6, at the Boys and Girls Club of West Alabama in this Sept. 13, 2012 file photo.

Michelle Lepianka Carter | Tuscaloosa News

By Kris MitchellSpecial to The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 28, 2013 at 11:24 p.m.

A University of Alabama student from Holt met with President Barack Obama on Monday inside the Oval Office and talked about issues affecting youth in the U.S.

“Obama looks just like the guy in the pictures,” said Tyler Merriweather, a freshman majoring in accounting at the University of Alabama. “He was so down-to-earth and was really supportive of youth development.”

Merriweather was named the Boys and Girls Clubs of America Southeast Youth of the Year last fall.

He and three other regional Youth of the Year winners were selected to travel to Washington, D.C., to meet Obama.

“Never in a million years did I think I would win,” said Merriweather. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime meeting.”

Merriweather said that the president told the group that he plans to focus on several issues that affect youth, such as education and the availability of jobs, in his Feb. 12 State of the Union address.

He said that the questions the teens asked the president during Monday's meeting mainly dealt with Obama's life in the White House.

“Someone asked him ‘What's the hardest part of your job,' ” Merriweather said. He described Obama's answer as being inspirational and well thought out.

Merriweather said he hopes that he can also inspire young boys and girls to develop aspirations and goals.

“You can never dream too big,” he said. “The small guy from Holt was able to go into the Oval Office and meet the president.

“It was so overwhelming and I look forward to sharing this with my family and friends.”

Merriweather graduated from Holt High School, where he was senior class president, with a 3.9 grade point average. He has been active in the local Boys & Girls Club, first as a youth and later working as a mentor.

<p>A University of Alabama student from Holt met with President Barack Obama on Monday inside the Oval Office and talked about issues affecting youth in the U.S. </p><p>“Obama looks just like the guy in the pictures,” said Tyler Merriweather, a freshman majoring in accounting at the University of Alabama. “He was so down-to-earth and was really supportive of youth development.”</p><p>Merriweather was named the Boys and Girls Clubs of America Southeast Youth of the Year last fall.</p><p>He and three other regional Youth of the Year winners were selected to travel to Washington, D.C., to meet Obama.</p><p>“Never in a million years did I think I would win,” said Merriweather. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime meeting.” </p><p>Merriweather said that the president told the group that he plans to focus on several issues that affect youth, such as education and the availability of jobs, in his Feb. 12 State of the Union address.</p><p>He said that the questions the teens asked the president during Monday's meeting mainly dealt with Obama's life in the White House.</p><p>“Someone asked him 'What's the hardest part of your job,' ” Merriweather said. He described Obama's answer as being inspirational and well thought out.</p><p>Merriweather said he hopes that he can also inspire young boys and girls to develop aspirations and goals.</p><p>“You can never dream too big,” he said. “The small guy from Holt was able to go into the Oval Office and meet the president.</p><p>“It was so overwhelming and I look forward to sharing this with my family and friends.”</p><p>Merriweather graduated from Holt High School, where he was senior class president, with a 3.9 grade point average. He has been active in the local Boys & Girls Club, first as a youth and later working as a mentor.</p>